Hand-Pushable Toy Vehicle

ABSTRACT

A hand-pushable toy vehicle is disclosed. The hand-pushable toy vehicle consists of a platform and wheels capable of accepting a platform skin having an outer appearance of a vehicle. The platform includes a handle arrangement extending upwardly from the platform and positioned to be held in both hands of a child operator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehicle is capable of supporting at least a portion of the child operator&#39;s weight while the child operator is in contact with the handle arrangement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present application relates generally to children's toys; inparticular, the present application relates to a hand-pushable toyvehicle.

BACKGROUND

Miniature vehicles fascinate children. From MATCHBOX cars to remotecontrol race cars to themed tricycles, children enjoy playing with orriding on miniature human powered vehicles. Historically, toy vehiclesmay be divided into one of several categories. Some vehicles are largerand designed for the child to ride in, for example, a tricycle or wagonlike vehicle. Some vehicles are smaller and designed for a child to playwith using a single hand, for example, a MATCHBOX car. Other toyvehicles fall in between the large size of a tricycle and the small sizeof a matchbox bar. Theses intermediate vehicles may come with removableand/or mechanical parts for entertaining children, for example a toyconstruction vehicle.

All of these toy vehicles provide different play experiences tochildren. Handheld toy vehicles provide a relatively stationary or smallarea play experience, in which the child can play with the toy in arelatively small area, requiring little child movement. Larger, ridingtoy vehicles are typically powered by pedals or another child (e.g., bypushing the vehicle), and require a large amount of room in which to usethem. Because the child is typically riding the vehicle, the child alsoreceives limited exercise or movement.

For these and other reasons, improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the following disclosure, the above and otherproblems are addressed by the following:

In a first aspect, the present disclosure includes a hand-pushable toyvehicle comprising a platform arrangement capable of receiving andoperatively connecting to a platform skin having an outer appearance ofa vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehicle further includes two frontwheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement, wherein the frontwheels rotate independently of each other and two rear wheels rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement, wherein the rear wheels rotateindependently of each other.

In certain embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle also includes ahandle arrangement extending upwardly from the platform arrangement andpositioned to be held in both hands of a child operator duringmanipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle. The handle arrangement iscapable of supporting at least a portion of the child operator's weightwhile the child operator is in contact with the handle arrangement. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle in generally between approximately 4 inchesand approximately 36 inches in height, between approximately 4 andapproximately 36 inches in width, between approximately 5 andapproximately 46 inches in length, and the platform arrangement is sizedand shaped to prohibit a passenger from riding on the hand-pushable toyvehicle.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure includes a hand-pushable toyvehicle comprising a platform arrangement having a front, a rear, andopposing sides, the platform arrangement capable of receiving andoperatively connecting to a platform skin having an outer appearance ofa vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehicle further includes two frontwheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement at a first commonmounting location proximate to the front of the platform arrangement,wherein the front wheels rotate independently of each other and two rearwheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement at a second commonmounting location proximate to the rear of the platform arrangement,wherein the rear wheels rotate independently of each other.

In certain embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle also includes apair of handles extending upwardly from the platform arrangement alongthe sides of the platform arrangement and at opposing positions betweenthe first common mounting location and the second common mountinglocation, each of the handles having an adjustable height and positionedto be held in a hand of a child operator during manipulation of thehand-pushable toy vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehicle is capable ofsupporting at least a portion of the child operator's weight while thechild operator is in contact with the handle arrangement. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle in generally between approximately 8 inchesand approximately 24 inches in height, between approximately 4 andapproximately 18 inches in width, between approximately 10 andapproximately 24 inches in length, and the platform arrangement is sizedand shaped to prohibit a passenger from riding on the hand-pushable toyvehicle.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure includes a hand-pushable toyvehicle comprising a platform arrangement having a front, a rear, andopposing sides, the platform arrangement integrated with a platform skinhaving an outer appearance of a vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehiclefurther includes two front wheels rotatably coupled to the platformarrangement at a first common mounting location proximate to the frontof the platform arrangement, wherein the front wheels rotateindependently of each other and two rear wheels rotatably coupled to theplatform arrangement at a second common mounting location proximate tothe rear of the platform arrangement, wherein the rear wheels rotateindependently of each other.

In certain embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle also includes apair of handles integrated into the platform skin at opposing positionsbetween the first common mounting location and the second commonmounting location and positioned to be held in a hand of a childoperator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle is capable of supporting at least a portion ofthe child operator's weight while the child operator is in contact withthe handle arrangement. The hand-pushable toy vehicle in generallybetween approximately 8 inches and approximately 24 inches in height,between approximately 4 and approximately 18 inches in width, betweenapproximately 10 and approximately 24 inches in length, and the platformarrangement is sized and shaped to prohibit a passenger from riding onthe hand-pushable toy vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example platform arrangement with a platformskin resembling a truck;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an example platform arrangement without anattached platform skin;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an example platform arrangement without anattached platform skin;

FIG. 4 is an alternative side view of am example platform arrangementwithout an attached platform skin;

FIG. 5 is an angled view of an example platform arrangement with aplatform skin and handles integrated into the platform skin;

FIG. 6 is an angled view of an alternative platform arrangement with aplatform skin and handles integrated into the platform skin;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example handle arrangement including thehandle and handle support;

FIG. 8 is a top view of example configurations for a handle or handlearrangement of a possible embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary use of a possible embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attachedhereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification arenot intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the claimed invention.

The present disclosure relates generally to a hand-pushable toy vehiclefor use by children (e.g., approximate ages 2-10). The toy vehicle isadjustable and steerable in a number of different ways. Through use ofthe hand-pushable toy vehicle according to the embodiments herein, achild can experience greater movement during play than with handheld toyvehicles, without the safety concerns of a larger vehicle a child mayride in/on.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example hand-pushable toy vehicle 4,according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle 4 includes a platform arrangement 5, with ahandle arrangement comprising a handle 10 and handle support 25 attachedthereto. The hand-pushable toy vehicle includes a pair of rear wheels 20and front wheels 22, each of which is rotatably coupled to the platformarrangement 5. Details regarding each of these features are describedbelow.

The hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 is sized so to require a child operatorto bend over at the waist in order to contact the handles of thehand-pushable toy vehicle. A number of sizes could be used, dependingupon the target age and size of the child intended to use thehand-pushable toy vehicle 4. In certain embodiments, the hand-pushabletoy vehicle 4 is between approximately 8 inches and approximately 24inches in height, wherein height is the distance from the ground to thetop of the hand-pushable toy vehicle (e.g., at handles 10). In certainembodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 could be betweenapproximately 10 inches and approximately 22 inches in height. Incertain specific embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 is betweenapproximately 12 inches and approximately 20 inches in height. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle can be, in such embodiments, approximately 16inches in height.

In certain embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 (and platformarrangement 5) is between approximately 4 and approximately 18 inches inwidth, wherein width is defined at the distance from a wheel on one sideof the vehicle to a wheel on the opposing side of the vehicle. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle may be between approximately 6 andapproximately 16 inches in width; for example, in certain embodiments,the hand-pushable toy vehicle is approximately 10 and approximately 12inches in width.

In certain embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4, and platformarrangement 5, may be between approximately 10 and approximately 24inches in length, wherein length is defined at the distance from thefront to the rear of the vehicle. The hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 may bebetween approximately 12 and approximately 22 inches in length; inparticular embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle is betweenapproximately 16 and approximately 18 inches in length.

In some embodiments, the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4, and platformarrangement 5, may be between 4 inches and 18 inches in height, between5 and 18 inches in width, and between 10 and 24 inches in length. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle 4, and platform arrangement 5, may be betweenapproximately 4 inches and approximately 24 inches in height, betweenapproximately 6 inches and approximately 22 inches in height, betweenapproximately 8 inches and approximately 20 inches in height, betweenapproximately 10 inches and approximately 18 inches in height, betweenapproximately 12 inches and approximately 16 inches in height.

In some embodiments, The hand-pushable toy vehicle 4, and platformarrangement 5, may be between approximately 5 and approximately 24inches in width, between approximately 7 and approximately 22 inches inwidth, between approximately 9 and approximately 20 inches in width,between approximately 11 and approximately 18 inches in width, betweenapproximately 13 and approximately 16 inches in width.

In some embodiments, The hand-pushable toy vehicle 4, and platformarrangement 5, may be between approximately 10 and approximately 24inches in length, between approximately 12 and approximately 22 inchesin length, between approximately 14 and approximately 20 inches inlength, between approximately 16 and approximately 18 inches in length.

A skin 30 can be removably attached over the platform arrangement toprovide the appearance of a vehicle to the hand-pushable toy vehicle. Inthe embodiment shown, the platform skin resembles a truck; however, inalternative embodiments other vehicle appearances could be provided aswell. Other example vehicle appearances include a sports car, a schoolbus, an ambulance or fire truck, or other types of vehicles.

In some embodiments, the handle 10 and the handle support 25 of thehandle arrangement will be inside of the platform skin. In otherembodiments, the platform skin 30 will attach to the platformarrangement 5 so that the handle arrangement, including the handle 10and handle support 25, is exterior to the platform skin 30.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an example platform arrangement 5 without anattached platform skin 30. The platform arrangement 5 has two attachmentpoints 15 for a platform skin 30. The platform arrangement may have onlyone attachment point 15 or multiple attachment points 15. In theembodiment show, the attachment points are placed at the front 1 andrear 2 of the platform arrangement 5. In certain embodiments, theattachment points 15 may be placed around the exterior edge of theplatform arrangement 5, in the center of the platform arrangement 5, inbetween the center and edge of the platform arrangement 5 or somecombination thereof. The attachment points 15 may include a variety ofattachment mechanisms. For example, a screw, a clip, a clamp, or someother attachment mechanism well known in the art. The platformarrangement 5 further includes a pair of handles 10 extending upwardlyfrom the platform arrangement along the sides of the platformarrangement and at opposing positions. In the embodiment shown, thehandles 5 are placed at opposing sides 3 of the platform arrangement 5.The platform arrangement also includes two front wheels 22 rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement and two rear wheels 20 rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement. In the embodiment shown, the twofront wheels 22 are coupled to the platform skin 5 at a first commonmounting location 7 proximate to the front 1 of the platform arrangement5 and the two rear wheels 20 are coupled to the platform skin 5 at asecond common mounting location 8 proximate to the rear 2 of theplatform arrangement 5. In certain embodiments, the handles 10 or entirehandle arrangement is placed closer to the first 7 or second 8 commonmounting locations.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an example platform arrangement 5 without anattached platform skin 30. The platform arrangement 5 has two frontwheels 22 rotatably coupled thereto and two rear wheels 20 alsorotatably coupled thereto. The platform arrangement 5 can, in certainembodiments, include a handle arrangement, comprising at least onehandle 5 and at least one handle support 25. The handle arrangementextends upwardly from the platform arrangement and is positioned to beheld in both hands of a child operator during manipulation of thehand-pushable toy vehicle. The handle arrangement is capable ofsupporting at least a portion of the child operator's weight while thechild operator is in contact with the handle arrangement.

FIG. 4 is an alternative side view of an example platform arrangement 5without an attached platform skin. The platform arrangement includes twofront wheels 22 rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement and tworear wheels 22 rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement. Theplatform arrangement optionally includes additional wheels 24 rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement at a third common mounting location(not numbered) positioned between the first and second common mountinglocations. The platform arrangement also optionally includes a handlearrangement, comprising a handle 5 and handle support 25. Differentembodiments may include alternative handle configurations.

FIG. 5 is an angled view of an example platform arrangement 5 with aplatform skin 30 and handles 10 integrated into the platform skin. Inthe pictured embodiment, the handles 10 are integrated directly into theplatform skin without the use of handle support 25. In certainembodiments, the platform skin with integrated handles is permanentlyattached to the platform arrangement. In other embodiments, when thehandles 10 are directly integrated into the platform skin 30, the heightof the handles or handle arrangement may not be adjustable. In stillfurther embodiments, the handles 10 are directly integrated into theplatform skin 30 with the use of a handle support 25. In the picturedembodiment, the handles 10 are integrated into the platform skin asopposing positions between the first and second common mountinglocations.

FIG. 6 is an angled view of an alternative platform arrangement 5 with aplatform skin 30 and handles 10 integrated into the platform skin.Similar to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 displays another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The handles 10 are integrated into the platform skin 30 andextending upwardly from the platform arrangement along the sides of theplatform arrangement and at opposing positions between the first commonmounting location and the second common mounting location. The picturedembodiment has two windows per side. Alternative embodiments canincorporate more, less, or no windows. In a preferred embodiment, thewindows will align with the handles to allow an operator's finger tomove freely from the exterior of the toy vehicle to the interior of thetoy vehicle through the window while the operator is holding the handles10.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example handle arrangement including thehandle 10 and handle support 25. In one embodiment, the height of thehandle 10 is adjustable by adjusting the height of the handle support25. The handle support my include a simple adjustment system using afirst handle support 26 that slides over a second handle support 27,with both the first and second handle supports having correspondingadjustment locks 35. The height of the handle is adjusted relative tothe platform arrangement to allow different size child operators toeffectively contact the handles.

FIG. 8 is a top view of further example configurations for a handle orhandle arrangement of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure will include a multitude of different handleconfigurations. In one embodiment, the handle 11 is shaped to fit achild operator's hand. In another embodiment, the handle 12 is shorterand free of dimples or grooves. In still another embodiment, the handle13 has a hollow cutout in the middle to allow the child operator toinsert a thumb or fingers for a better grip. Another embodiment mayinclude a combination of all three previous configurations or a handleconfiguration commonly known in the art.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary use of the present disclosure. Achild operator 40 bends over at the waist and knees to contact thehandles of the hand-pushable toy vehicle 4 comprising handles 10, aplatform arrangement 5, a platform skin 30, two front wheels 22rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement at a first common mountinglocation, and two rear wheels 20 rotatably coupled to the platformarrangement at a second common mounting location. The hand-pushable toyvehicle is designed to support at least a portion of the childoperator's weight. In the pictured embodiment, the hand-pushable toyvehicle 4 is sized to put a child operator's head and waist at about thesame height when the child operator's hands are contacting the handlesof the hand-pushable toy vehicle. In certain embodiments, thehand-pushable toy vehicle may be shorter or taller, allowing the childoperator to assume a lower or higher position (e.g. child operator'shead is lower or higher than the waist). The pictured embodiment has twowindows per side. Alternative embodiments can incorporate more, less, orno windows. In a preferred embodiment, the windows will align with thehandles to allow an operator's finger to move freely from the exteriorof the toy vehicle to the interior of the toy vehicle through the windowwhile the operator is holding the handles 10.

A platform arrangement of the present disclosure is capable of receivingand operatively connecting to a platform skin having an outer appearanceof a vehicle. In some embodiments, the platform skin is sold separatelywhile in other embodiments it is included with the platform arrangement.In an embodiment the platform skin is easily attached and removed fromthe platform arrangement in order to change the appearance of thehand-pushable toy vehicle. In another embodiment, the platform skin ispermanently attached to the platform arrangement and sold as a completeset.

The platform arrangement may include two front wheels rotatably coupledto the platform arrangement, wherein the front wheels rotateindependently of each other and two rear wheels rotatably coupled to theplatform arrangement, wherein the rear wheels rotate independently ofeach other. In an alternative embodiment, the platform arrangement mayinclude additional wheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement,wherein the additional wheels rotate independently of each other. Thewheels of the present disclosure may be made of plastic, rubber,polymer, resin or some other commonly used material in the art. Thewheels may resemble tractor tires, race car tires, tank chains or anyvariation thereof. In one embodiment, the wheels do not rotateindependently of each other. In another embodiment, the wheels do notrotate at all. In a further embodiment, the wheels are coupled to theplatform arrangement so when the child operator applies pressure to theleft or right side of the hand-pushable toy vehicle, the toy vehicleturns in that direction. The wheels of the present disclosure may besolid, hollow, or inflatable.

The platform arrangement may include a handle arrangement extendingupwardly from the platform arrangement and positioned to be held in bothhands of a child operator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toyvehicle, wherein the hand-pushable toy vehicle is capable of supportingat least a portion of the child operator's weight while the childoperator is in contact with the handle arrangement. The handlearrangement may include a handle and handle support. In one embodiment,the handle arrangement is two independent handles. In anotherembodiment, the handle arrangement is one continuous handle spanninghorizontally across the hand-pushable toy vehicle. In a preferredembodiment, the handle arrangement is sized to fit the hands of a childoperator. The handle arrangement may include additional padding on thesurface of the handle. The padding may include rubber, or silicone, agel-like substance, foam, or any other commonly used material in theart.

In an embodiment, the platform arrangement comprises a pair of handlesextending upwardly from the platform arrangement along the sides of theplatform arrangement and at opposing positions between the first commonmounting location and the second common mounting location, each of thehandles having an adjustable height and positioned to be held in a handof a child operator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toyvehicle.

In yet another embodiment, the hand-pushable toy vehicle comprises apair of handles integrated into the platform skin at opposing positionsand positioned to be held in a hand of a child operator duringmanipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle.

The platform arrangement of the hand-pushable toy vehicle is sized andshaped to prohibit a passenger from riding on the hand-pushable toyvehicle. In an embodiment, the platform skin is also sized and shaped toprohibit a passenger from riding on the vehicle. In an additionalembodiment, the platform skin may have a seat or ledge that wouldsupport the weight of a child operator but is not intended to transporta child. In a preferred embodiment, the hand-pushable toy vehicle isdesigned to support at least the partial weight of a child operator. Forexample, as a child leans over and pushes into the vehicle using thehandle or handle arrangement.

The platform skin may be constructed of injectable mold plastic, resin,polymer, wood, aluminum, carbon, steel, glass, or any other materialwell know in the art. In an embodiment, the platform skin is acombination of the previously mentioned materials. In an embodiment, theplatform skin of the present disclosure is constructed at leastpartially from a piece of injectable mold plastic. In alternativeembodiment, the entire platform skin is constructed of injectable moldplastic.

The platform skin may include at least one fastener for operativelyconnecting the platform skin to the platform arrangement. The fastenermay be a tab, screw, clip, or some other attachment mechanism well knownin the art. The plastic skin may include a single fastener or multiplefasteners. In an embodiment, plastic skin contains no fasteners becausethe platform skin and platform arrangement are not detachable.

The platform skin may resemble a truck, sedan, limousine, convertible,tank, emergency vehicle, spacecraft, buggy, race car, or othercommercially available automobile. In an embodiment, the platform skinis a fire truck or a police car. In another embodiment, the platformskin is modeled after vehicles or spacecraft from popular movies ortelevision shows. In an embodiment, the platform skin may also includedetachable or non-detachable accessories. For example, a steering wheel,lights, batteries, ladders, hoses, spare tires, guns, or other accessorycommon to a vehicle or spacecraft.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will include additionalwheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement, wherein the wheelsare positioned horizontally across the platform from each other. Theadditional pairs of wheels may be behind, in between, or in front of thefront or rear wheels. The additional pairs of wheels may be adjacent tothe front or rear wheels to mimic a double wheel configuration, forexample, like a tractor trailer. In an embodiment, the hand-pushable toyvehicle will include wheels rotatably coupled to the front or rear ofthe platform arrangement for allowing the vehicle to spin in circleswithout moving forward or backward. Some embodiments will include wheelslarger in diameter and/or width to accommodate outdoor use. Wheelsdesigned for outdoor use may include larger and/or deeper treadpatterns, or tread patterns designed for a particular environment, forexample, sand, mud, grass, dirt, and/or snow. In some embodiments, thehand-pushable toy vehicle will be generally designed for outdoor use,for example, the wheels, axles, and/or overall construction of thevehicle will be stronger and/or more resilient. Outdoor wheels maycomprise a more resilient rubber and/or plastic.

In an embodiment the two front wheels mount to the platform arrangementat a first common mounting location and the two rear wheels mount to theplatform arrangement at a second common mounting location.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle arrangement isadjustable along a vertical plane. The ability to adjust the handlearrangement will make the handles more accessible to different sizechild operators. The range of adjustment may be from 10 inches to lessthan 1 inch. The adjustment will be small enough to prevent the fullextension of the handle arrangement from making the hand-pushable toyvehicle become unstable when a child operators applies pressure to thevehicle. When the handle arrangement is a single handle, the adjustmentwill affect the overall height of the single handle. When the handlearrangement comprises at least two handles, each individual handle maybe adjusted independent of each other.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle arrangement isadjustable along a horizontal plane. The ability to adjust the handlearrangement will allow the weight of the child operator to positiontoward the front or rear of the vehicle. The adjustment will be smallenough to prevent the handle arrangement from making the hand-pushabletoy vehicle unstable when a child operators applies pressure to thevehicle, for example, by tipping the vehicle over when pressure isapplied. When the handle arrangement is a single handle, the adjustmentwill affect the overall horizontal position of the single handle. Whenthe handle arrangement comprises at least two handles, each individualhandle may be adjusted independent of each other.

The adjustment of the handle horizontally or vertically is accomplishedusing methods well known in the art, for example, as described anddisplayed in FIG. 7 of this application.

In certain embodiments, handle arrangement includes a first handle and asecond handle; and a first handle support and a second handle support,wherein the first handle attachment fixedly connects the first handle tothe platform arrangement and the second handle attachment fixedlyconnects the second handle to the platform arrangement. The first handleand the first handle attachment are positioned horizontally across theplatform arrangement from the second handle and second handleattachment.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle arrangementis wider or narrower than the platform arrangement. In an embodiment thehandle arrangement is wider or narrower than the platform skin. Inanother embodiment the first handle and the second handle are positionedat a width greater or narrower than the platform arrangement width orthe platform skin width.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the platform skin furthercomprises at least a first handle and a second handle, the first handlepositioned horizontally across the platform arrangement from the secondhandle. The platform skin may comprises a handle arrangement comprisinga single handle. In some cases, the present of a handle arrangement onthe platform skin will mean the platform arrangement does not have ahandle arrangement. In other cases, the handle arrangement will bepresent on both the platform skin and the platform arrangement.

In embodiments where the platform skin comprises a handle arrangement,the handle arrangement maybe wider or narrower than the platformarrangement, for example, the first handle and the second handle arepositioned at a width greater than the platform arrangement width.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hand-pushable toyvehicle comprises a platform arrangement having a front, a rear, andopposing sides, the platform arrangement is capable of receiving andoperatively connecting to a platform skin having an outer appearance ofa vehicle. The at least two front wheels and two rear wheels arerotatably coupled to the platform arrangement at a first common mountinglocation proximate to the front of the platform arrangement or rear ofthe platform arrangement, wherein the both the front and rear wheelsrotate independently of each other.

In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, thehand-pushable toy vehicle is comprises a platform arrangement having afront, a rear, and opposing sides, the platform arrangement integratedwith a platform skin having an outer appearance of a vehicle.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will include additionalornamental or functional features commonly found on toy vehicles ormodel cars. For example, a steering wheel, lights (e.g., batteryoperated), reflectors, ladders, and the like. The additional featuresmay be detachable or non-detachable as part of the platform skin.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of thedisclosure. Since many embodiments of the disclosure can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-pushable toy vehicle comprising: aplatform arrangement capable of receiving and operatively connecting toa platform skin having an outer appearance of a vehicle; two frontwheels rotatably coupled to the platform arrangement, wherein the frontwheels rotate independently of each other; two rear wheels rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement, wherein the rear wheels rotateindependently of each other; and a handle arrangement extending upwardlyfrom the platform arrangement and positioned to be held in both hands ofa child operator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle;wherein the hand-pushable toy vehicle is between 4 inches and 18 inchesin height, between 5 and 18 inches in width, between 10 and 24 inches inlength and capable of supporting at least a portion of the childoperator's weight while the child operator is in contact with the handlearrangement.
 2. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a platform skin constructed at least partially from a pieceof injectable mold plastic, the platform skin including at least one taboperatively connecting the platform skin to the platform arrangement. 3.The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 2, wherein the platform skinresembles a truck, sedan, limousine, convertible, tank, emergencyvehicle, spacecraft, buggy, race car, or other commercially availableautomobile.
 4. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 2, wherein theplatform skin further comprises at least a first handle and a secondhandle, the first handle positioned horizontally across the platformarrangement from the second handle.
 5. The hand-pushable toy vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the hand-pushable toy vehicle is between approximately8 inches and approximately 24 inches in height, between approximately 4and approximately 18 inches in width, between approximately 10 andapproximately 24 inches in length, and the platform arrangement is sizedand shaped to prohibit a passenger from riding on the hand-pushable toyvehicle.
 6. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprisingat least two additional wheels rotatably coupled to the platformarrangement, wherein the wheels are positioned horizontally across theplatform arrangement from each other.
 7. The hand-pushable toy vehicleof claim 1, wherein the handle arrangement is adjustable along avertical plane.
 8. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein thehandle arrangement is adjustable along a horizontal plane.
 9. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the handle arrangementincludes: a first handle and a second handle; and a first handleattachment and a second handle attachment; wherein the first handleattachment fixedly connects the first handle to the platform arrangementand the second handle attachment fixedly connects the second handle tothe platform arrangement.
 10. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 9,wherein the first handle and the first handle attachment are positionedhorizontally across the platform arrangement from the second handle andsecond handle attachment.
 11. The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 9,wherein the first handle and the second handle are positioned at a widthgreater than the platform arrangement width.
 12. The hand-pushable toyvehicle of claim 11, wherein the first handle and the second handle arepositioned at a width greater than the platform arrangement width. 13.The hand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the two front wheelsmount to the platform arrangement at a common mounting location.
 14. Thehand-pushable toy vehicle of claim 13, wherein the two rear wheels mountto the platform arrangement at a common mounting location.
 15. Ahand-pushable toy vehicle comprising: a platform arrangement having afront, a rear, and opposing sides, the platform arrangement capable ofreceiving and operatively connecting to a platform skin having an outerappearance of a vehicle; two front wheels rotatably coupled to theplatform arrangement at a first common mounting location proximate tothe front of the platform arrangement, wherein the front wheels rotateindependently of each other; two rear wheels rotatably coupled to theplatform arrangement at a second common mounting location proximate tothe rear of the platform arrangement, wherein the rear wheels rotateindependently of each other; and a pair of handles extending upwardlyfrom the platform arrangement along the sides of the platformarrangement and at opposing positions between the first common mountinglocation and the second common mounting location, each of the handleshaving an adjustable height and positioned to be held in a hand of achild operator during manipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle;wherein the hand-pushable toy vehicle is capable of supporting at leasta portion of the child operator's weight while the child operator is incontact with the handle arrangement; and wherein the hand-pushable toyvehicle is between approximately 8 inches and approximately 24 inches inheight, between approximately 4 and approximately 18 inches in width,between approximately 10 and approximately 24 inches in length and, andthe platform arrangement is sized and shaped to prohibit a passengerfrom riding on the hand-pushable toy vehicle.
 16. A hand-pushable toyvehicle comprising: a platform arrangement having a front, a rear, andopposing sides, the platform arrangement integrated with a platform skinhaving an outer appearance of a vehicle; two front wheels rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement at a first common mounting locationproximate to the front of the platform arrangement, wherein the frontwheels rotate independently of each other; two rear wheels rotatablycoupled to the platform arrangement at a second common mounting locationproximate to the rear of the platform arrangement, wherein the rearwheels rotate independently of each other; and a pair of handlesintegrated into the platform skin at opposing positions between thefirst common mounting location and the second common mounting locationand positioned to be held in a hand of a child operator duringmanipulation of the hand-pushable toy vehicle; wherein the hand-pushabletoy vehicle is capable of supporting at least a portion of the childoperator's weight while the child operator is in contact with the handlearrangement; and wherein the hand-pushable toy vehicle is betweenapproximately 8 inches and approximately 24 inches in height, betweenapproximately 4 and approximately 18 inches in width, betweenapproximately 10 and approximately 24 inches in length, and the platformarrangement is sized and shaped to prohibit a passenger from riding onthe hand-pushable toy vehicle.